The primary concern of organic chemists is to make molecules of socio-economic benefit, such as polymers, medicines and agrochemicals. To this end, many organic chemists interest themselves in being able to discover new ways of making chemical bonds to help them build these molecules.

The carbon-fluorine bond is one of unique interest among chemists, this bond is especially strong due to it combining factors of covalent (electron-sharing) and ionic (attraction between opposite charges) character into the union of the two atoms. Having access to these bonds allow chemists to build pharmaceutical compounds with extra strength and stability in their carbon framework and stronger, more durable polymers.

Mario P. Weisenfeldt and his team have discovered a new synthetic method that adds hydrogen atoms to the same face of cyclic molecules made up of carbon and fluorine bonds, which pushes all of the carbon-fluorine bonds to one side or face of the cyclic structure.

This cis-fluorinated compound exhibits interesting electronic properties which could have applications in materials science. In any case, Weisenfeldt and his team’s discovery has opened up a new method of synthesis that will make life easier for chemists to make vital compounds needed for everyday life.

*Original article online at http://trinitynews.ie/research-round-up-september/

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